WASHINGTON – Inland Rep. Darrell Issa is investigating the California Air Resources Board’s role in negotiations that led to tough new fuel economy standards nationwide.

The lawmaker says the standards will cost auto manufacturers billions of dollars in the coming years.

As chairman of the House Oversight Committee, Issa, R-Vista, this week sent the air board’s chairman, Mary Nichols, a letter seeking detailed information about the negotiations that yielded a 2009 agreement between the Obama administration, labor unions and the auto industry.

In the 13{+-}page letter, Issa questioned the secrecy of the talks, both during and after, and raised questions about the state’s involvement in setting fuel economy standards was contrary to federal law, which gives that authority to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Issa said the standards, which require manufacturers to make light-duty vehicles capable of achieving 35.5 miles per gallon by 2016, will cost the industry $51.7 billion, by conservative government estimates.

The letter contains 17 separate requests for information ranging from questions over reports that negotiators took vows of silence during the talks and agreed to put nothing in writing, to the Air Resources Board’s view of the role it should play in setting national standards.

A special federal waiver allows California to regulate greenhouse gas emissions in the state. While that authority does not extend to national fuel economy standards, the two are closely linked – fuel economy standards are tested by measuring carbon dioxide emissions from vehicle tailpipes.

“It appears that (the Air Resources Board) and the state of California are in the business of regulating fuel economy standards, in direct contravention of the law,” Issa wrote.

The state has the law on its side, air board spokesman Stanley Young said.

“Chairman Nichols welcomes the opportunity to respond to the letter,” Young said in an email. “We do want to make it clear that, as for the claim of ‘apparent’ violation of federal law, we have federal court decisions in Vermont and California that definitively indicate that ARB’s vehicle standards are not fuel economy standards.”

Issa also chided Nichols for declining to appear before one of Issa’s subcommittees, which requested her testimony during an October hearing to examine the impact the new standards would have on consumers and small businesses.

“Your refusal to subject yourself and your office to congressional scrutiny is emblematic of the core concern that many in Congress share regarding CARB’s participation in the establishment of fuel economy standards,” Issa wrote. “Namely, many are concerned that CARB, as a state actor, is unresponsive to congressional concerns and unappreciative of congressional priorities.”

Issa, who enjoys subpoena power as the House’s chief watchdog, is requesting the information be delivered to his staff by Nov. 23

Air quality

The California Air Resources Board is an arm of the California Environmental Protection Agency and reports directly to the governor’s office. Its goals include: